Do you guys think your ADHD helps you solve complex problems with a lot of info/moving pieces? Or the opposite?

I can’t decide if it takes me forever and I’m slow and make more of a mess of things when solving complex issues, or if I analyze everything so comprehensively that I catch things others don’t and come up with creative perspectives. Maybe it’s both. Just wondering how others think ADHD helps or hurts you

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Thrilled to hear someone else talk about this! I’ve said for years that my ADHD helps me solve complex issues with creative solutions or arguments that may not occur to other attorneys. It just takes me a little longer to get there because I have to consider every possible (and maybe impossible) angle before it suddenly “clicks” into place.

That being said, it can also cause me to “spin my wheels” so I’ve had to train myself on when/how to pump the brakes if that level of analysis isn’t going to pay off.

likehelpful

This^

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The most validating thing a partner ever said about me was a direct nod to my ADHD. Partner said, “When I need something done quickly, I call [other associate]. And when I need something done creatively, I call [me]. Somehow [me] can make sense of utter chaos when no one else can.” 🥹

likehelpful

I got chills. This is so great. Thank you for sharing this, I needed to hear it.

I definitely think I’m slower which has really been a detriment in my work. However, I’m super thorough, meticulous, and think of every possibility. So my conclusion is both.
I have honestly struggled with finding the right job because of this where my strengths can be appreciated.

likehelpful

I’m in house for a large university system and they appreciate it/give me latitude to do things my way.

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I pretty firmly believe my neuroatypicality has been integral to my success. I can only speak for my practice (fast paced fire drill heavy deal stuff) but my view is that taming the process into something organized just isnt possible, certainly not without unacceptable time sink. So ok the thing i cant do is impossible for everyone, the organizational system will never stay caught up, the process will never stay disciplined, we ultimately all end up playing fire whack a mole by the seat of our pants no matter how hard we fight it.

So what helps with that? Is it trying and failing to impose order on the fundamentally entropic? Or is it a restless mind, zipping around chasing association triggers and sudden sparks of memory, dropping into hard hyperfocus where needed (fueled off adrenaline spikes from urgency) and then falling back to skip around aimlessly until it finds something to dig into, then dig in and keep digging until thats done, then sift around more... i have found the latter to serve me very well.

likesmart

This resonated with me. I recently started a new job as a prosecutor, never done criminal law before and a completely new process. Got almost 200 cases handed to me on day 1, many of which had been badly handled by a previous attorney (necessary evidence not requested in time, etc). My coping mechanism has always been strict organization, and there just is not time for me to set up my organizational systems and keep them updated…it’s a wild new world and I’m really enjoying the work, but it’s also mildly terrifying…

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It makes me ridiculously process-oriented. It is a pain but I almost never approach things like other attorneys in my firm would. It’s a blessing and a curse. Definitely makes for some creative solutions but also can drive others crazy ha.

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